Ipoh — Attraction in Perak

The Ipoh railway station is a Malaysian train station located at the south-western side of and named after the capital city of Ipoh, Perak. It serves as the main railway terminal for the state under Keretapi Tanah Melayu offering KTM ETS services, as well as handling freight trains. Although there are 9 tracks, only four are electrified and three of the electrified tracks are used for the ETS service. The remaining 6 other tracks are used for freight trains.

The first Ipoh station was constructed in 1894 as railway tracks for the Perak Railway (PR) were first laid along Ipoh, serving the town for 20 years through the final years of the PR and its consolidation into the Federated Malay States Railways (FMSR).

In 1914, construction of a second station and hotel to replace the first station began; dogged by material shortages and escalating costs of labour during the Great War, the station was only completed in 1917. The new double-storey station building was constructed with vastly larger space to not only house railway offices, but also Majestic Hotel, an enclose hotel that also boasted a restaurant and a bar. Originally offering 17 bedrooms which directly grant access to the second floor loggia, the hotel upgraded its number of rooms to 21 in 1936.

For over 80 years, through the operational years of the FMSR and its eventual successor, Malayan Railways, the station's overall layout has remained largely unchanged since its construction due to minimal upgrading exercises throughout the wider Peninsular Malaysian...

The station itself remains gorgeous. From the outside that is. I have a lot of feelings about this KTM station since it's in my hometown. I'm particularly disappointed with how they manage the ETS service here. I've been a regular customer since it's inception and I've def seen the highs and lows of its management.

Eventhough my house is about less than 10 mins drive here, I don't bother to buy ticket at the counter. Why? Because the system is just ridiculous! Say I need an immediate ticket for today, I still have to take a number that's been pooled together with all other means of businesses. And there's a lot of people. There used to be several different categories for services but now they're all lumped into one. It's not systematic at all and it's very frustrating.

The last time I bought a ticket at the station, there's not even any number. People can just simply go and queue up by the counter. That was my last straw because people were literally cutting q and doing whatever they want.

Considering Ipoh is one of the busiest + historical train stations in Peninsular Malaysia where many tourists would visit, you'd think KTMB would pay more attention to matters like this but they don't I guess? What kind of image are we sending to the visitors with this kind of (dis)service?

Until I see any improvements, my rating will be 2 stars. Sad really because this place is so close...

Old rustic building with up-to-date train system. The design language stood out the most about this train station. It marks the historical territorial conquer of British Empire on Tanah Melayu in the late 19th century and in the early 20th century. It has been kept that way ever since. That is what makes this train station🚄 very special for the locals. Garden in front of the station is very beautiful and well-maintained 👍

There are toilets 🚻 ATM machine (MEPS ATM machine), small kiosk lot for last minute buy for your itineraries like food and drinks, small musolla, free water cooler and cafe.

It is very close to a bus station around 400 metres of walking distance. This bus station have various short destination around Ipoh.

The thing that annoys me the most is the traffic jam during the arrival of train KL Central—Ipoh. There is nobody in charge of the movement of cars outside the station that are taking their passengers. A quick drive through to take your passengers could take 10-15 minutes that otherwise could take just a short 2 minutes AND they will charge you if you park your car! Arggghhhh!!! It will cost you RM/MYR 1.05 even if you park there like only 5...